Dear All,
We’re downsizing and many cds are3 being stashed.
I’d like to rip them and store the files somewhere neat, tidy and accessible, to be replayed via bluetooth.
as not everything is available on streaming services..
Any thoughts pls as to software and hardware for this task ?
( Probably abt 500 cds..)
TIA
Ainsley says
I use dbPower amp (and a drive on my PC) – it’s not free but it’s an excellent piece of software, reasonably priced and includes conversion of existing files as well as ripping, metadata editor etc. I think the current price includes two years of free updates (I bought long enough ago to get lifetime updates but not sure if they do that any more)
It’s quick and easy to use. One tip, don’t rip your CD’s at too low a quality – you’ll regret it later, especially if you get rid of them after ripping. You can always rip twice at lower quality if you want to but you can’t go back up!
Having said that, iTunes does it as well if you’re in that ecosystem.
dai says
I just bought a WiiM Ultra for streaming from my computer, via WiFi not Bluetooth though. So far I am loving it, it also contains a DAC and even a pre-amp for phono. I am trying a Plex server and also a JRiver one running on a Mac Mini (an old one). Will decide which is my preference soon. Have also used a Logitech Music Server (and Squeezeboxes) in the past, but that hardware is getting a bit tired.
As for ripping the CDs, have used various methods but now I mainly use iTunes to do a lossless ALAC rip. You can convert from that to mp3 should you wish to put them on your phone or play from a USB stick in the car or something. I also have FLAC files (also lossless) and a variety of different quality mp3 files. Am aiming to eventually upgrade everything to lossless or worst case 320kps mp3s.
johnw says
This is one of those tasks where you can make life easier by spending some money. Personally I would get a NAS drive that supports something like Plex. It’s dead easy to set up and you then just load the client onto whatever devices you have (ie PC, phone, tablet) you then play what you want from those devices to whatever bluetooth speaker is connected to them.
All you then need is to rip (and crucially) tag them. I use Exact Audio Copy which is very simple and (normally) tag them with MP3Tag. I had a quick play with onetagger at the weekend and it seems to do a lot of heavy lifting but I think MP3Tag will also be needed to finesse the onetagger output.
fentonsteve says
This
Ainsley says
Another vote here for mp3.tag. Great bit of software – one of the few I regularly donate a couple of quid to the guy.
I also have a NAS that stores all my music (RAID set up so there’s a copy if one drive fails). Very handy for using in multiple ways and will host a Plex server.
fentonsteve says
As Dai says, rip them to lossless, whether it be Flac or Alac or one of the more niche formats. File size will only be 2 or 3 times larger than 320k mp3, and 500 cds ripped won’t take much hard drive space.
Converting from lossless to any other format is quick and easy with plenty of free software to choose from.
And make at least 2 backup drives if you’re going to be getting rid of the cds.
fentonsteve says
In terms of hardware, 500 cds ripped to lossless format will take about 200GB. This would easily fit onto a cheap SSD.
As mentioned above a NAS would be best, they all come with file-server apps to run.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
With not a little trepidation, I ask what does that last sentence mean?
MC Escher says
Try the internet. There are many “search engines” on it, which are useful for “finding out about stuff”.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
You lost me after “Try”
fentonsteve says
A NAS is a bit more than just a drive in a box, Lodes. It has a tiny librarian inside who listens to all of your music files, creates a list and, when a playback device says “what have you got?” then pulls the requested file off the shelf and hands it over the counter.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
My computer has access to all the music ever invented ever and it talks happily to “all” of my music players. Why do I need a little librarian chappie, however friendly?
fentonsteve says
I like to think my librarian is called Kathy and gives me a cheeky wink when I ask her to serve me a file.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Take your pleasures where you find them – in your case, somewhere in the Fantasy Section
Freddy Steady says
I’ll go even further Lodes. What is this thread about?
Lodestone of Wrongness says
It’s about terraforming system relay transmissions from eplus to Focus Mk 1 using interloping terminals and bipolar transcarriers. You thick or what?
Freddy Steady says
Yes. Yes I think I am…
Gary says
Here’s a good test to check whether you are or not: see if you can spell triganometry.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Never mind spelling, anyone know what was going on Tuesday , Period 3, Trig with Wags Wilson? A whole year of total incomprehension. Mind you, Wags was expert with the belt – even had Harry Barlow on his knees one time begging “No more, sir, I’ll never jam Thomson Minor’s head behind the radiator again. No more belt, I beg of you, no more”.
Several years later, McKay the Red said “Remember, Harry, when Wags Wilson gave you six of the best?” McKay the Red was never seen again.
hubert rawlinson says
“Sorry wasn’t listening sir something to do with squares and hippopotamuses/ hippopotami?”
Freddy Steady says
Nope, no idea. Pah.
MC Escher says
Echoing the NAS suggestions. Peace of mind in a box.
I have a Synology one and it was a snap to set up and connect to.
fentonsteve says
I echo the Synology suggestion, simply because I have one.
Ainsley says
Moi aussi. One of my better tech investments
johnw says
I’ve been a happy Synology owner for over 13 years now. I’m now on my second one because the first one started to feel a bit slow. I’ve probably had 3 drive failures in that time but you just buy a new one and put it in and you’re all backed up again.
RedLemon says
Use a streaming service and just keep/rip the 3 CDs that aren’t available?
jazzjet says
I’m doing the same thing, using dbPoweramp to rip my CDs in FLAC. I have a ridiculously large CD collection and the process is taking ages, but in the end I’m sure it will be worth it. I echo the suggestion to make backups.
One thing I’ve noticed is the amount of money paid for ordinary CDs which is a bit eye-watering. Most of my CDs were bought in the 1990s or early 00s and it’s not unusual to find single CDs with a £14.99 or £16.99 price sticker on them.
dai says
HMV and Virgin were always ripoff merchants.
moseleymoles says
‘2 for £22’ was value in them days
Mike_H says
Considering how much cheaper CDs were to manufacture than vinyl or cassettes, we wuz all robbed!
Even those Columbia/Sony reissue CDs, with the yellow exclamation mark stickers on the front, were moneymakers.
dai says
You have to make back the development costs of a new format also in the early years.
moseleymoles says
True in 1987 maybe, but HMV was still charging those prices in the mid-90s.
dai says
HMV was always expensive, but they normally had what you wanted at least in London. Worth noting that mid 90s was probably peak time for putting as much music on the CD as possible so a lot of effective double LPs. Whether this was wise or not is another question
Mike_H says
There was no major price hike when labels started releasing Cassette albums.
dai says
Well they had to get back the development costs somehow. Manufacturing cheaper than vinyl and they sold for about the same price? Or maybe they got it back on the hardware
deramdaze says
Some will always gravitate to the most expensive format, puzzling though it may seem.
In 2024 it’s vinlys.
Chrisf says
Late to the party and nothing much to add to the suggestions above. I have been running my music from hard drive for many years now and the main points….
– I use iTunes to rip CDs – I know there are much better softwares out there, but I run Mac’s at home anyway and it does a reasonable job and automatically gets all the metadata. Main thing is as mentioned above – rip to a lossless format (ALAC or FLAC).
– I store all the files on an external NAS (As above, I also use / recommend Synology). Even though NAS drives protect your data from a hard drive failure, the NAS can still fail, so please have a backup (especially if you are disposing of the CDs).
– I run everything from an old Mac mini, which streams the music. (and TV/Movies) around the house to Apple TV units. For pure music, I use Roon software to stream losslessly to my Hi-Fi. Its expensive software, but I’m a fan – easy to use, great database management and streams flawlessly.
nogbad says
Thanks to all for the advice, but I think that this thread may have reached the pint of no return !